Articles

Words

Why would we do it? Why? Why would we have such little regard for one another that we would send that acerbic Facebook post? Why would we speak so sharply to one another?

Satan has always used words to hurt. Sticks and stone will break bones but words hurt deep in the heart of an individual. Words manifest our heart. So do Facebook posts. If we would not say it to ones face then why post it?

The words of James are never more needed than today: “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh” (Jas. 3:3-12).

Here is the question: Do those instruction not apply to what we say to each other on Facebook or any form of social media? Have we lost our spirituality because of social media? Because we have social media, does that mean we do not have to be transformed into the image of Christ? We are still answerable for what we post to and about each other. It is so easy to get behind the keyboard and in front of the screen and unload.

This little rhyme still applies even in our days of social media. “Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates:At the first gate, ask yourself “Is it true?”At the second gate ask, “Is it necessary?”At the third gate ask, “Is it kind?”

Yes, it is easy to be guilty. Folks, let’s think before we speak or post. Is what I am about to say helping me be transformed into the image of Christ? Is this posting going to make more like Christ? If the answer to either is “no” then do not say it or post it.